# Scroll-Stopping Hook Generator > Generates 20+ scroll-stopping ad hooks organized by psychological angle (pain, curiosity, social proof, contrarian, urgency) with platform-specific formatting, A/B variations, and psychology breakdowns - Skill: `zubair-trabzada/scroll-stopping-hook-generator` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add zubair-trabzada/scroll-stopping-hook-generator` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/zubair-trabzada/scroll-stopping-hook-generator/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: zubair-trabzada (https://skillmd.com/u/zubair-trabzada) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/zubair-trabzada/scroll-stopping-hook-generator --- # Scroll-Stopping Hook Generator ## Skill Purpose Generate 20+ battle-tested hooks that stop the scroll across every major ad platform. Hooks are the single most important element in any ad — the first 1-3 seconds determine whether your ad gets watched or ignored. This skill produces hooks organized by psychological angle, each with platform-specific formatting, an A/B variation, a psychology breakdown explaining why it works, and guidance on where to use it. Output is ready to plug directly into ad copy, video scripts, or email subject lines. ## When to Use - User runs `/ads hooks` - User asks for scroll-stopping hooks, opening lines, or attention-grabbers - Called as a subagent from `/ads strategy` (the main orchestrator) - User needs hooks for ad creative, video intros, or email campaigns - User wants to improve CTR on existing ads by testing new hooks ## Input Requirements - **Required:** Business context — a URL, product/service description, or prior strategy data - **Optional:** Target persona, specific platform focus, industry vertical, offer details ## How to Execute ### Step 1: Gather Business & Audience Context If a URL is provided, fetch it using `WebFetch` and extract: - Business name, industry, and niche - Core value proposition and USPs - Target audience indicators - Pain points the product/service solves - Price point and offer structure - Social proof assets (review count, client count, awards) - Competitor landscape Run supplementary research: ``` WebSearch: "[Industry]" best performing ad hooks WebSearch: "[Industry]" viral ad examples WebSearch: "[Product category]" ad copy examples high CTR ``` Establish the hook foundation: ```markdown ## Hook Foundation **Business:** [Name] **Product/Service:** [What they sell] **Target Audience:** [Primary persona in 1 sentence] **Core Pain Point:** [The #1 problem the audience has] **Core Desire:** [The #1 outcome the audience wants] **USP:** [What makes this different from competitors] **Proof Points:** [Stats, results, testimonials available] **Offer:** [Current promotion, pricing, free trial] ``` ### Step 2: Generate Hooks by Psychological Angle Generate **20+ hooks minimum** distributed across 5 psychological angles: --- #### Angle 1: Pain/Problem Hooks (5 minimum) These hooks work by calling out a pain the audience already feels. They create instant recognition — "that's me!" — which stops the scroll. **Psychology:** Loss aversion. People are 2x more motivated to avoid pain than to gain pleasure. Pain hooks activate the amygdala's threat detection system. **Template patterns:** - "Stop [doing painful thing] and start [doing desired thing]" - "If you're still [painful situation], here's why..." - "[Number]% of [audience] are making this [topic] mistake" - "The [topic] mistake that's costing you [specific loss]" - "You're losing [specific amount] every [time period] because..." For each hook: ```markdown ### Hook P[number]: [Hook Text] **Full text:** [The complete hook — 1-2 sentences max] **A/B variation:** [Alternate version testing a different angle or word choice] **Character count:** [count] characters **Best platform(s):** [where this hook performs best] **Funnel stage:** [TOFU / MOFU / BOFU] **Why it works:** [2-3 sentences on the psychology — which cognitive bias, emotional trigger, or pattern interrupt is at play] **How to use it:** - **Facebook/Instagram ad:** [how to format — as primary text opening, headline, or text overlay] - **TikTok/Reels:** [how to deliver — on-screen text, voiceover opening, or both] - **Google ad:** [how to adapt — as headline, description opening] - **YouTube pre-roll:** [how to deliver in first 5 seconds] - **Email subject line:** [adapted version for email] **Emoji treatment:** [which emojis to add and where, or "none — let the words hit"] **Hashtag pairing:** [2-3 relevant hashtags if used on social] ``` --- #### Angle 2: Curiosity/Question Hooks (5 minimum) These hooks create an information gap that the viewer must close. The brain cannot tolerate an open loop — curiosity is physically uncomfortable until resolved. **Psychology:** The Zeigarnik Effect. Unfinished thoughts create cognitive tension. Question hooks exploit the brain's compulsion to find answers. **Template patterns:** - "What happens when you [unexpected action] with [topic]?" - "I tested [thing] for [time period]. Here's what happened..." - "The [topic] secret that [authority] don't want you to know" - "Why do [successful people] always [unexpected behavior]?" - "I asked [number] [experts] one question. Their answer shocked me." - "This [simple thing] changed my [topic] forever. (Not what you think.)" For each hook, use the same template as Angle 1. --- #### Angle 3: Social Proof/Authority Hooks (5 minimum) These hooks leverage other people's actions or endorsements to trigger herd behavior. If others are doing it, it must be good. **Psychology:** Social proof (Cialdini). Authority bias. The bandwagon effect. We look to others' behavior to determine the correct course of action, especially under uncertainty. **Template patterns:** - "[Number] [audience type] already [action]. Here's why." - "[Authority figure/company] uses this [product/strategy]. You should too." - "We helped [X] clients [achieve result] in [timeframe]" - "Rated [X] stars by [number] [audience]. Here's what they're saying..." - "[Well-known company] switched to [product/approach]. Their results?" - "The [product/method] that [impressive stat] people can't stop talking about" For each hook, use the same template as Angle 1. --- #### Angle 4: Contrarian/Controversial Hooks (3 minimum) These hooks challenge conventional wisdom or say something the audience doesn't expect. They create a pattern interrupt — the brain flags unexpected information as important. **Psychology:** The Von Restorff effect (isolation effect). Information that stands out from its surroundings is remembered better. Contrarian takes also trigger the brain's prediction error response, releasing dopamine and increasing attention. **Template patterns:** - "[Common advice] is actually killing your [metric]. Here's proof." - "Unpopular opinion: [contrarian take about industry]" - "Everything you've been told about [topic] is wrong." - "I stopped [common practice] and [positive result] happened." - "The [industry] lie nobody talks about" For each hook, use the same template as Angle 1. **Important:** Contrarian hooks must be defensible. Never make false claims. The contrarian take should challenge a genuine misconception or offer a legitimate alternative perspective. --- #### Angle 5: Urgency/Scarcity Hooks (2 minimum) These hooks create time pressure or exclusivity. They work best at the bottom of the funnel when the audience is already aware and considering. **Psychology:** Scarcity principle (Cialdini) and loss aversion (Kahneman). The fear of missing out (FOMO) is a stronger motivator than the joy of gaining. Time-bound offers trigger the brain's urgency response, shortcutting deliberation. **Template patterns:** - "Last chance: [offer] ends [specific time]" - "Only [number] spots left for [offer/program]" - "[Offer] expires in [time]. Don't say I didn't warn you." - "This [deal/opportunity] won't come back. Here's why." - "We're closing [offer] to new [customers/members] on [date]" For each hook, use the same template as Angle 1. **Important:** Urgency hooks must be truthful. False scarcity destroys trust and violates platform policies. Only use when there is genuine scarcity or a real deadline. ### Step 3: Platform-Specific Formatting Guide Include a comprehensive formatting reference: ```markdown ## Platform-Specific Hook Formatting ### Facebook/Instagram Feed Ads - **Character guidance:** Keep hooks under 125 characters to display above the fold (before "See More") - **Emoji usage:** 1-2 emojis max at the start or end — never in the middle of a sentence - **Line breaks:** Use a line break after the hook to create visual separation - **Hashtags:** 0 in ad copy (use in organic posts only, 3-5 max) - **Format:** Text-first, then visual reinforcement ### TikTok / Instagram Reels - **Delivery:** Hook must be spoken in the first 1.5 seconds AND shown as on-screen text - **Text overlay:** Large, bold, centered text — 5-8 words max on screen - **Emoji usage:** Sparingly in on-screen text, more in captions - **Hashtags:** 3-5 in caption, include 1 trending hashtag - **Format:** Video-first, text supports the visual ### Google Ads (Search) - **Headline limit:** 30 characters per headline — hooks must be compressed - **No emojis:** Google Ads does not allow emojis in ad copy - **Keyword integration:** Include the target keyword naturally in the hook - **Punctuation:** Use periods and exclamation points strategically (Google shows them) - **Format:** Intent-matching — the hook must answer what they searched for ### LinkedIn - **Tone:** Professional but human — avoid jargon, corporate-speak, and buzzwords - **Emoji usage:** Minimal (0-1 per post) — overuse damages credibility - **Hashtags:** 3-5 in Sponsored Content, placed at the end - **Format:** Text hooks work best, followed by a supporting statistic - **Line breaks:** Use frequently — LinkedIn's feed compresses long paragraphs ### YouTube Pre-Roll - **Timing:** Hook must land in the first 5 seconds (before the skip button) - **Delivery:** Both spoken (voiceover) and shown (on-screen text) - **No emojis:** On-screen text should be clean and bold - **Hashtags:** Not applicable - **Format:** Open with the hook verbally, reinforce with on-screen text and a relevant visual ### Pinterest - **Placement:** Hook goes in the Pin title (100 chars) and the first line of description - **Emoji usage:** Moderate — Pinterest is more visual, emojis help text stand out - **Hashtags:** 2-5 in description, relevant to search intent - **Format:** Keyword-rich — Pinterest is a search engine, hooks should include searchable terms ### Email Subject Lines - **Character guidance:** 40-60 characters for desktop, under 35 for mobile preview - **Emoji usage:** 1 emoji at the start can increase open rates by 10-15% - **Personalization:** Include [First Name] or [Company] where possible - **Preview text:** 40-90 characters that complement (not repeat) the subject line - **Format:** Create curiosity gap — never give away the answer in the subject line ``` ### Step 4: Hook Performance Prediction Rate each hook's expected performance: ```markdown ## Hook Performance Predictions | # | Hook (shortened) | Angle | Expected CTR Impact | Confidence | Best Platform | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | P1 | [first 40 chars...] | Pain | High (+30-50%) | Medium | Meta | | P2 | [first 40 chars...] | Pain | Medium (+15-30%) | High | Google | | C1 | [first 40 chars...] | Curiosity | Very High (+50%+) | Medium | TikTok | | [etc.] | | | | | | **CTR Impact Rating:** - Very High: Expected to outperform average hooks by 50%+ - High: Expected to outperform by 30-50% - Medium: Expected to outperform by 15-30% - Baseline: Expected to perform at industry average **Confidence Rating:** - High: Based on proven patterns and strong audience match - Medium: Based on solid principles but needs testing - Low: Experimental angle, high variance expected ``` ### Step 5: Hook Testing Strategy ```markdown ## A/B Testing Strategy ### Phase 1: Angle Testing (Week 1-2) Test one hook from each angle against each other: - Ad Set A: [Best Pain hook] - Ad Set B: [Best Curiosity hook] - Ad Set C: [Best Social Proof hook] - Ad Set D: [Best Contrarian hook] - Budget: Equal split across all 4 ad sets - Metric: CTR (click-through rate) - Winner criteria: Highest CTR after 1,000 impressions per ad set ### Phase 2: Variation Testing (Week 3-4) Take the winning angle and test A/B variations: - Ad A: [Winning hook — Version A] - Ad B: [Winning hook — Version B] - Budget: 50/50 split - Metric: CTR + conversion rate - Winner criteria: Highest conversion rate after 500 clicks per ad ### Phase 3: Scaling (Week 5+) Take the overall winner and: - Scale budget by 20% every 3 days - Create 3 new hooks in the winning angle - Refresh creative every 2-3 weeks to avoid ad fatigue - Monitor frequency — if above 3.0, rotate new hooks in ``` ## Output Format Save the complete output to `ADS-HOOKS.md` in the current working directory. **File structure:** ``` # Scroll-Stopping Hooks: [Business Name] > Generated [date] | Source: [URL] > Total hooks: [count] | Angles covered: 5 > Top recommended hook: [Hook #] — [shortened text] ## Hook Foundation [business and audience context] ## Pain/Problem Hooks (5) [hooks P1 through P5 with full detail] ## Curiosity/Question Hooks (5) [hooks C1 through C5 with full detail] ## Social Proof/Authority Hooks (5) [hooks S1 through S5 with full detail] ## Contrarian/Controversial Hooks (3) [hooks X1 through X3 with full detail] ## Urgency/Scarcity Hooks (2) [hooks U1 through U2 with full detail] ## Platform-Specific Formatting Guide [formatting reference] ## Hook Performance Predictions [prediction table] ## A/B Testing Strategy [testing plan] ## Quick-Reference Hook List [numbered list of all hooks — just the text, no formatting, for easy scanning] ## Next Steps 1. Start with hooks [X, Y, Z] — highest predicted performance 2. Run `/ads copy ` to build full ad copy around winning hooks 3. Run `/ads video ` to turn hooks into video ad scripts 4. Set up A/B tests following the Phase 1 plan above 5. Refresh hooks every 3-4 weeks to prevent creative fatigue ``` ## Quality Checklist Before delivering the output, verify: - [ ] At least 20 hooks generated total - [ ] Pain/Problem: at least 5 hooks - [ ] Curiosity/Question: at least 5 hooks - [ ] Social Proof/Authority: at least 5 hooks - [ ] Contrarian/Controversial: at least 3 hooks - [ ] Urgency/Scarcity: at least 2 hooks - [ ] Every hook has an A/B variation - [ ] Every hook has platform-specific usage guidance - [ ] Every hook has a "why it works" psychology explanation - [ ] Character counts are included for every hook - [ ] Platform formatting guide is complete for all 7 channels - [ ] Hook performance predictions are provided - [ ] A/B testing strategy is actionable - [ ] Quick-reference list is included at the end - [ ] Hooks are specific to the business (not generic templates) - [ ] No false claims in contrarian hooks - [ ] No fake scarcity in urgency hooks - [ ] Output is saved to ADS-HOOKS.md ## Hook Quality Standards Every hook must pass these tests: 1. **The 3-second test:** Would this make someone stop mid-scroll? If you have to think about it, the hook isn't strong enough. 2. **The specificity test:** Does it include a specific number, timeframe, or detail? "Save money" fails. "Save $347/month" passes. 3. **The relevance test:** Does the target audience immediately see themselves in this hook? Generic hooks get generic results. 4. **The curiosity gap test:** Does it create an open loop the reader MUST close? If the hook gives away the answer, it's a headline, not a hook. 5. **The truth test:** Is every claim defensible? Hooks that overpromise destroy trust and get ads rejected. 6. **The platform test:** Does this hook fit the platform's culture? LinkedIn hooks that read like TikTok captions (and vice versa) will fail. 7. **The say-it-out-loud test:** For video hooks, read it aloud. If it's awkward to say, rewrite it. The best video hooks are conversational.